Easter is over, but the story is really just beginning. And it’s the best story, with the best possible ending.
Jesus’ resurrection is God’s promise to the world that the impossible has suddenly been made possible.
The Resurrection isn’t just the promise that something good will happen someday—it’s the promise that every bad thing will be turned upside down, into something good. The Curse will be reversed. Broken things will be restored. Love will win.
The Resurrection is the eucatastrophe of the story of the Incarnation—this story begins and ends in joy.
—J. R. R. Tolkien
Eucatastrophe: It’s not just the opposite of catastrophe. It’s God rewriting the story, weaving in his threads of grace. It’s the heartbeat of redemption, pulsing throughout the land.
Sorrow will turn into joy.
Wounds will be healed.
Dead things will come to life.
Ugly things will be made beautiful.
Heartbreak will become hope.
In The Return of the King, after the ring is destroyed, Sam awakens and is surprised to see that Gandalf is still alive. This is what he says:
Is everything sad going to come untrue? What’s happened to the world?
I have to imagine that’s what the Marys thought when they went to the tomb and found it empty. Everything sad is coming untrue. And I’d guess it’s what the disciples thought when they saw Jesus alive again, sitting down to eat with them. Everything sad is coming untrue.
Death is coming untrue, pain is coming untrue, sadness is coming untrue. All because he lives.
The one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
—Revelation 21:5
Stephanie, your writing continues to bless and enrich my life. As soon as I read this one, I sent it to Mike for possible sermon quotes/material. Thank you for powerful words which build the Kingdom!
Oh, thank you, Maggie! That amazes me, because I continue to learn from YOU!
Wonderful twist of words. And a powerful reminder of His love.
I love this post, Stephanie, and I’ve reread it each morning since you shared it. You’ve taken a mind-blowing concept and written about it in such a beautiful and understandable way. Thanks for this encouragement!
Thanks for the post Stephanie!:
The post made me think of the song Brokenness Aside by All Sons and Daughters. So I thought I’d post a bit of the lyrics:
“‘Cause I am a sinner
If its not one thing its another
Caught up in words
Tangled in lies
You are the Savior
And you take brokenness aside
And make it beautiful”
lyrics by Leslie Jordan & David Leonard
I love that song! And I love you!